The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-12-22

per'ars, nm my husband don't
much work, AN In, about crazy w.f
IL oil. What was a.going TO DO WIN
Dorothy | didn't know. The town
Poorhouse is so full I'm AFRAID ] can
get her in, but no use talking, .ap't
keep her myself. So thought VI yer.
wanting her last summer, and sehtI
IN try and see il MISS Deane'lI take
her, il only fur n little while. Wpl
YOU ma'am? Look'at her asleep hers
the innocent little thing"
She put back her shawl as she spokS
and revealed Dorothy, whose curly
yellow head rested in childish trush
against the arm which would havel
wrought her harm without a momentsf
hesitation for its owners selfish ends. |
She was very proud, this well-bre ed
lady, and it cost her severe struggle
to accept the child under such cir
cumstances, when few months ago
she had been so harshly denied. But
when she thought that the little child
would be the greatest sufferer II her
pride held out, and vision OF happy
times in the future when Cecil should
be with them again came before her,
she felt conquered and handled, ard
taking the child from the woma,'s
arms. said to her:
"For Dorothy's sake not yours. i
will take her, not for short time,
but forever. She is mine now, and
you relinquish all claims upon her.
Do you agree?"
YES" was the unhesitating reply,
and, anxious to get rid OF the wom'
an. Aunt Agatha loaded her with Han.
nels and blankets, and sent her on
her way rejoicing. Then she carried
Dorrie into the sitting-room, sat dow
by the fire and cried little over her.
After that she put the little one TO
bed, anxious for the morrow's sun to
rise.
When Dorrie awoke the next day,
can you imagine her surprise Mt find
ing herself lying beside Miss Agatha
Deane in warm and to her eyes
beautiful room? The lady was still
asleep, and Dorrie lay very still, try
ing to solve the all-important puzzle.
at must have been fairies" she de-
cided at last, hardly daring to breathe
lest the spell should be broken, and
the should find herself back again in
she dirty little cottage, and hear Aunt
.Jens sharp voice bidding her get up
and set the table for breakfast. Alb,
dear little heart,y0u are safe from the
sound OF that voice forever!
IL was not long before Aunt Agatha
awoke, and then the whole had to be
explained and the new relationship OF
mother and daughter fully established
and sealed by,a kiss. ''e
Now we'll send for Cecil to come
and spend Christmas with US, shall
we not?" Aunt Agatha suggested, and
Dorothy agreed ioyfully. for you may
be sure she longed to see the boy who
had been instrumental in promoting
her happiness.
Great were the preparations made
for his coming, and when Christmas
eve arrived the house had assumed u
very festive appearance. Aunt Aga
tina was sitting before the fire, her
hands busy as usual with some soft
knitting, and q little girl, looking so
different from Dorothy OF old that we
scarcely know her, sat on low stool
at her side.
At Dorrie's own request Aunt Aga
tina had not written to her nephew OF
the child's removal to her home, and
consequently he was in blissful
ignorance and wondered greatly at
the invitation he had received.
Nevertheless he was not slow in &C.
cepting it. and the two before the fire
were awaiting his arrival. Fancy had
been sent to the station to meet him,
and already the whistle and scream O,
the engine could be heard. Dorrie,
far too eager to sit still, wandered
first to the window, then to the kitch'
EN-, where grand dinner was being
prepared, and back again to Aunt
Agatha and the fire. But before long
horses hoofs were heard on thegravel
without, and Miss Deane hastily put
her knitting work out OF sight and
hurried to the door.
There was Cecil, looking as bright as
ever, grown taller and more manly.
Can you imagine the joyful meetings
Everything was explained entirely to
the boys satisfaction; every one was
happy and all went well. Little Dor
rie's troubles were indeed over.